Telescoping camper cabin for trucks

ABSTRACT

A vertically telescoping glass fiber-reinforced plastic camper cabin embodying a one-piece lower body section with unitary plastic cabinet sections mounted therein, together with a doubleshell upper body section of glass fiber-reinforced plastic and metal inner frame construction telescopically receiving the lower body section, and fluid rams for raising and lowering the upper section connected between brackets provided in the sections.

ilnited States Patent Hall [451 Mar. 28, 1972 [54] TELESCOPING CAMPERCABIN FOR TRUCKS [72] Inventor: Robert D. Hall, 10320 Sunland Blvd.,Sun-- land, Calif. 91040 [22] Filed: May 26, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 40,604

52 11.8.0. ..296/23 c, 296/27, 52/67 51 Int.Cl .;..B60p3/34 5sFieldofSearch ..296/23,26, 27,31 P; 52/66,

[ 5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,879,103 3/1959 Hall..296/23 2,883,233 4/1959 Beckley ..296/31 P X 2,858,580 11/1958Thompson ..296/3l P X 3,021,170 2/1962 Cornelius ..296/23 PrimaryExaminer-Philip Goodman Attorney-Wham & McManigal [57] ABSTRACT Avertically telescoping glass fiber-reinforced plastic camper cabinembodying a one-piece lower body section with unitary plastic cabinetsections mounted therein, together with a double-shell upper bodysection of glass fiber-reinforced plastic and metal inner frameconstruction telescopically receiving the lower body section, and fluidrams for raising and lowering the upper section connected betweenbrackets provided in the sections.

7 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figures TELESCOPING CAMPER CABIN FOR TRUCKS Thisinvention has to do generally with camper cabins adapted to be mountedon the bed of a truck between the sides thereof, and more particularlyto such camper cabins as embody an upper body section which telescopesvertically over the lower or main section so that the upper section canbe lowered for transit.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved camper cabinconstruction which provides a superior product of lighter weight,greater strength and durability and improved surface finish as comparedwith camper cabins heretofore made by conventional construction methodsutilizing conventional materials, such as metal, wood and plywood.

Another object is to provide a relatively simple construction whereinthe camper body is made up of a minimum number of body sections whichcan be fabricated independently of each other and can be readilyassembled without the exercise of special skill.

A further object is to provide a camper cabin embodying a novel andimproved construction wherein the main telescoping sections are moldedwith suitable reinforcement and bracket means therein for the mountingof fluid rams between the sections thereby eliminating the problem anddiffic ulty of accurately fitting mounting brackets to the sections asin conventional construction.

Another object is to provide a novel construction for averticallyexpanding camper cabin which makes it possible to build acabin that has a lower overall height when the upper section is loweredrelative to the lower section but which provides 2 equal or greaterheadroom inside the cabin when the upper section is raised than hasheretofore been accomplished.

More particularly it is an object to provide a camper cabin constructionin which the camper cabin is largely made up ofa minimum number ofrelatively large molded sections or components of glass fiber-reinforcedsynthetic resin or plastic that can be readily assembled with a minimumamount of labor and skill.

In summary, it is an object to provide a construction embodying a novelmain or lower body section molded as a unit and provided with plasticfoam insulation together with a minimum number of unitary molded cabinetsections fitted therein in conjunction with an upper section formed vofan inner shell and an outer shell with foam insulation between theshells, the upper body section telescopically receiving the lower bodysection, and fluid ram mounting brackets integral with the upper andlower body sections with fluid rams mounted thereon and extendingbetween the sections for raising and lowering the upper section.

These and other objects will be apparent from the drawings and thefollowing description. Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a truck with a camper cabinembodying the invention shown in place thereon with the upper portion ofthe camber cabin lowered for transit;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the upper portion of thecamper body raised for habitation;

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the major components of thecamper cabin;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the lower body section;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the camper cabinsubstantially in the plane designated by the line 5-5 of FIG. 4, but ona larger scale;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 6-6 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 77 of FIG. 5, but on alarger scale;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but taken in the opposite directionnear the opposite end of the cabin in the plane designated by line 8--8ofFlG. 4; I

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 99 of FIG. 8, but on alarger scale;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 10-10 of FIG, 8; and

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the metal frame incorporated in theupper body section.

1 More particularly describing the invention, in FIGS. 1 and 2 I show acamper cabin l1 embodying the invention mounted on a so-called pickuptruck 12, the cabin being shown contracted, that is, with the upper bodysection 14 lowered for transit, in FIG. 1, and expanded, that is, withthe upper body section raised, in FIG. 2.

In general the camper cabin includes a lower body section 15 and theaforementioned upper body section 14 which telescopically receives thelower body section and is movable vertically with respect thereto. Thesection 15 rests on the floor or bed of the truck body 16, fittingbetween the sides 17 thereof. In this connection it will be noted thatthe sides of the body are stepped to provide inset lower side walls 18that fit between the sides of the truck body and that these in turn aare recessed at 19 to accommodate the wheel wells in the truck body.

It is a particular feature of the construction and method of manufactureof the camper cabin that, apart from the trim, windows, hardware,furnishings, appliances, plumbing and electrical components andfittings, it is made up of a minimum number of unitary, fiber-reinforcedplastic (synthetic resin) molded components that can be readilyassembled. The lower body section 15 is chiefly made'up of a main shell21, two cabinet sections, designated 22 and 23, and fittings including adoor and window (not shown). The main shell is a one-piece or unitarymolded plastic structure made chiefly of a suitable material, such asglass fiber-reinforced polyester-type resin, or the like. This is formedto provide a bottom wall 25 which incorporates a pair of laterallyspaced longitudinal stiffening and mounting channels 26 incorporating anadditional layer 26' of material and reinforcement. The shell includesside walls 28, a front end wall 30 and a rear end wall 31. The walls area continuation of the floor or bottom wall and are continuous exceptwhere the rear end wall is interrupted by a wide opening 32 for a doorand where the front end wall 30 is interrupted by an opening 33 for awindow. Theupper edge of the section is supported by metal tubing 35which extends completely around the upper edge of the main body sectionor shell 21.

The back end wall 31 of the shell 21 is provided with a U- shapedreinforcement frame, designated 38, made up of a tu bular base member 39and two laterally spaced uprights 40, the latter being connected to theformer by diagonal braces 41. The frame is secured in place in themolded shell by additional resin and glass fiber-reinforcing, asrequired, and, as shown in FIG. 7, the molded shell substantiallyencompasses the base member 39. The frame'38, in addition to reinforcingthe end wall of the shell which is weakened by the door opening 32,serves as a bracket for supporting the two fluid rams 44 which, with thetwo rams-45 at the front, are used for raising and lowering the upperbody section 14. For this purpose each of the uprights 40 is providedwith a laterally projecting mounting car 46 to which the cylinders 47 ofthe rams 44 are secured, respectively. This construction assures properpositioning of the rams during assembly.

The front end wall 30 does not require additional reinforcement and thelower ends of cylinders 48 of rams 45 are mounted on brackets 50 whichin turn are mounted on steps 51 formed by the contour of the lower bodysection at the forward end of the cabin.

The shell 21 is coated on the inside with a layer of plastic foam 54,such as polyurethane foam, to provide heat and sound insulation, thefoam being sprayed on or otherwise applied to the end walls 30 and 31and to the side walls 28 above the bench orledge 55.

Apart from furnishings and trim, the interior of shell 21 is completedby mounting therein the two cabinet sections 22 and 23. Each of thesecomprises a unitary or one-piece molded member of plastic, such as aglass fiber-reinforced polyester resin. The design or shape of thecabinet sections may vary, depending on the fixtures, appliances,cabinets and other built-in accommodations to be offered in a particularcamper cabin. By way of example, cabinet section 22 is shown as having astove-receiving surface 57, a seat surface 58 and a highersink-receiving surface 59. Depending from such surfaces is an aperturedskirt wall 61 that is secured to the channel 25 in the bottom wall ofthe shell. Upright side wall 62 and end walls 63 and 64 extend upwardlyto completely cover and thus finish the interior of the shell 21, theside and end walls terminating in a marginal flange 65 that extends overand is secured to the upper margin of the shell by screws (not shown)and by bonding In a similar manner, the cabinet section 23 chosen forillustration includes a closet section 67, seat surface 68, and a lowcloset floor surface 69. It also has a skirt 70, upper side wall 71 andend walls 72 and 73. The section 23 fits into the shell 21 in a mannersimilar to section 22, except that section 23 in part extends above theshell 21.

The upper body section 14 is supported on the lower or main body sectionwhich it telescopically receives by means of the two sets of fluid rams44 and 45. The latter of course are connected into a fluid pressuresupply system of any desired type, although I prefer to employ ahydraulic fluid in a closed circuit with a hand pump and supply tank.This is known and need not be illustrated, reference being made to US.Pat.'No. 2,879,103, by way ofexample.

The upper body section comprises inner and outer plastic shells,designated 75 and 76, respectively, of glass fiber-reinforced polyesterresin or other suitable plastic and a skeletal framework 77 therebetweenof metal, together with a filling of foam plastic between the twoshells. The outer shell 76 has a roof or top wall 80, side walls 81,front end wall 82 and back end wall 83. The inner shell has similarwalls designated by the same numerals distinguished by the addition ofaprime mark.

The framework 77 which is mounted between the top shells 7S and 76 ismade up ofa central longitudinal channel section 85 having lateralflanges, two similar cross members 86 and 87 normal thereto, and sidelongitudinal members 88. The parts are welded together. At the front ofthe frame each corner is provided with a downwardly extending L-shapedmember 90 while at the back end of the frame, somewhat shorterdownwardly extending L-like corner elements 91 are provided. Theframework 77 is assembled with the inner and outer molded shells 75 and76 in any suitable manner and held in place either by being glassed-in"(secured with glass fiberreinforced resin) or by means of screws orrivets.

The rams 44 at the rear of the cabin have their piston rods 47 secureddirectly to the rear cross member 86 of the frame structure 77, as bestseen in FIG. 6. At the forward end of the cabin special brackets 93 areattached to the front cross member 87 as by screws 94 for mounting thepiston rods 48 of rams 45. 7

In order to impart further stiffness to the upper body section 14, ametal reinforcing member 96 is provided between the two shells aroundthe bottom edge of the section. Various means may be used for guidingthe upper body section 14 for telescoping vertical movement relative tothe lower body section, channel guides 98 being shown on the end wallsof the lower body section for engagement by suitable slides (not shown)inside the upper body section.

It will be apparent that the various objects of the inventionhereinbefore set forth are achieved by the camper cabin constructionshown and described. It will also be apparent that the upper bodysection 14, which is shown lowered in FIGS. and 8, can be readily raisedby supplying pressure fluid to the four rams, as by means ofa hand pump(not shown) connected into a suitable system as heretofore referred to.Further, although I have shown particular embodiments of the invention,1 contemplate that various changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the inventive concept.

1 claim:

1. A telescoping camper cabin for trucks, comprising:

a. a one-piece lower body section of molded reinforced plastic;

b. a unitary upper body section telescopically receiving said lower bodysection, said upper body section including a one-piece outer shell ofmolded reinforced plastic and a one-piece inner shell of moldedreinforced plastic secured inside said outer shell;

c. fluid ram means connected between said upper and lower body sectionsfor raising and lowering said upper body section relative to said lowerbody section;

d. a molded reinforced plastic cabinet section secured inside said lowerbody section along each side thereof defining a center aisle space andcovering the inner surface of said lower body section and serving as afinish therefor; and

e. an interior layer of foam plastic insulation disposed behind saidcabinet sections.

2. The telescoping cabin for trucks as defined in claim 1, including ametal tubing extending completely around the upper edge ofsaid one-piecelower body section.

3. A telescoping camper cabin for trucks having an open body with a bed,sides and an open end, comprising a unitary molded, glassfiber-reinforced plastic open-topped lower body section adapted to besupported on the bed of the truck body between the sides thereof, saidsection having a back end wall interrupted by a substantial openingthrough its upper margin for a door, a metal reinforcement frame mountedin said back end wall of said lower body section and including aninternally projecting mounting ear adjacent each rear corner of thesection, an upper body section telescopically receiving said lower bodysection and covering the same, a pair of fluid rams connected betweenthe mounting ears of said frame and said upper body section, additionalfluid rams between the front end portion of said lower body section andthe front end portion of said upper body section, and a fluid supply,pressurizing and control system carried by said lower body section andoperatively connected to said fluid rams.

4. A telescoping camper cabin for trucks having an open body with a bed,sides and an open end, comprising:

a. a unitary molded, glass fiber-reinforced plastic opentopped lowerbody section adapted to be supported on the bed of the truck bodybetween the sides thereof, said section having a back end wallinterrupted by a substantial opening through its upper margin for adoor;

b. a metal reinforcement frame mounted in said back end wall of saidlower body section and including an internally projecting mounting earadjacent each rear corner of the section;

. an upper body section telescopically receiving said lower body sectionand covering the same, said upper body sec- .tion being formed of aninner and an outer shell of molded glass fiber-reinforced plastic with ametal framework incorporated therebetween;

d. a pair of fluid rams connected between the mounting ears of saidframe and said upper body section, additional fluid rams between thefront end portion of said lower body section and the front end portionof said upper body section, said pair of fluid rams and said additionalfluid rams being secured at their upper ends to said framework; and

. a fluid supply, pressurizing and control system carried by said lowerbody section and operatively connected to said fluid rams.

5. A telescoping camper cabin, comprising a lower body section in theform ofa unitary, molded, glass fiber-reinforced plastic open-toppedshell having a bottom wall with a pair of raised, laterally spacedchannels equi-off longitudinal center and having side walls and endwalls with one end wall interrupted centrally by a door opening, a pairof cabinet sections secured in said shell, each cabinet section having askirt portion secured to a channel of the shell and having an uppermarginal portion secured to the upper marginal portion of the shell, ametal frame in said shell at the end wall interrupted by said opening,an upper body section comprising a molded plastic inner and an outershell and a metal frame therebetween, said upper body section coveringand telescopically receiving said lower body section, fluid rams mountedbetween said frame and said framework at one end of said cabin andbetween the lower body section and said framework at the other endthereof.

6. A lower body section for a telescoping camper cabin adapted to mounton a truck, comprising:

a. a molded unitary open-topped shell of a glass fiber-reinforcedplastic, said shell having a bottom wall, side walls and end walls, andbeing formed to provide a pair of laterally spaced upwardly projectinginverted channels; and

b. a molded reinforced cabinet section mounted inside said shell alongeach side thereof defining a center aisle space and covering the innersurface of the shell to provide an interior finish therefor, each saidcabinet section having: I. a skirt portion secured to a channel in theshell;

2. utility surfaces extending laterally of the upper edge of the skirt;and

3. upright wall portions extending upwardly from said utility surfacesand terminating in a laterally projecting marginal flange secured to theupper margin of said shell.

7. A telescoping camper cabin for trucks, comprising:

a. a one-piece lower body section of molded reinforced plasticinterrupted at one end;

b. a metal frame incorporated in said lower body section at the endhaving the interruption;

c. a unitary upper body section telescopically receiving said lower bodysection, said upper body section being interrupted at one end so as to,in cooperation with the interruption in said lower body section, for adoor opening, and including a one-piece outer shell of molded reinforcedplastic and a one-piece inner shell of molded reinforced plastic securedinside said outer shell with a metal framework incorporatedtherebetween;

d. fluid ram means connected between said upper and lower body sectionsfor raising and lowering said upper body section relative to said lowerbody section, said fluid ram means including four rams connected attheir upper ends to said metal framework with two of said rams connectedat their lower ends to said metal frame in the lower body section; and

e. a molded reinforced plastic cabinet section secured inside said lowerbody section along each side thereof defining a center aisle space andcovering the inner surface of said lower body section and serving as afinish therefor.

1. A telescoping camper cabin for trucks, comprising: a. a one-piecelower body section of molded reinforced plastic; b. a unitary upper bodysection telescopically receiving said lower body section, said upperbody section including a onepiece outer shell of molded reinforcedplastic and a one-piece inner shell of molded reinforced plastic securedinside said outer shell; c. fluid ram means connected between said upperand lower body sections for raising and lowering said upper body sectionrelative to said lower body section; d. a molded reinforced plasticcabinet section secured inside said lower body section along each sidethereof defining a center aisle space and covering the inner surface ofsaid lower body section and serving as a finish therefor; and e. aninterior layer of foam plastic insulation disposed behind said cabinetsections.
 2. The telescoping cabin for trucks as defined in claim 1,including a metal tubing extending completely around the upper edge ofsaid one-piece lower body section.
 2. utility surfaces extendinglaterally of the upper edge of the skirt; and
 3. upright wall portionsextending upwardly from said utility surfaces and terminating in alaterally projecting marginal flange secured to the upper margin of saidshell.
 3. A telescoping camper cabin for trucks having an open body witha bed, sides and an open end, comprising a unitary molded, glassfiber-reinforced plastic open-topped lower body section adapted to besupported on the bed of the truck body between the sides thereof, saidsection having a back end wall interrupted by a substantial openingthrough its upper margin for a door, a metal reinforcement frame mountedin said back end wall of said lower body section and including aninternally projecting mounting ear adjacent each rear corner of thesection, an upper body section telescopically receiving said lower bodysection and covering the same, a pair of fluid rams connected betweenthe mounting ears of said frame and said upper body section, additionalfluid rams between the front end portion of said lower body section andthe front end portion of said upper body section, and a fluid supply,pressurizing and control system carried by said lower body section andoperatively connected to said fluid rams.
 4. A telescoping camper cabinfor trucks having an open body with a bed, sides and an open end,comprising: a. a unitary molded, glass fiber-reinforced plasticopen-topped lower body section adapted to be supported on the bed of thetruck body between the sides thereof, said section having a back endwall interrupted by a substantial opening through its upper margin for adoor; b. a metal reinforcement frame mounted in said back end wall ofsaid lower body section and including an internally projecting mountingear adjacent each rear corner of the section; c. an upper body sectiontelescopically receiving said lower body section and covering the same,said upper body section being formed of an inner and an outer shell ofmolded glass fiber-reinforced plastic with a metal frameworkincorporated therebetween; d. a pair of fluid rams connected between themounting ears of said frame and said Upper body section, additionalfluid rams between the front end portion of said lower body section andthe front end portion of said upper body section, said pair of fluidrams and said additional fluid rams being secured at their upper ends tosaid framework; and e. a fluid supply, pressurizing and control systemcarried by said lower body section and operatively connected to saidfluid rams.
 5. A telescoping camper cabin, comprising a lower bodysection in the form of a unitary, molded, glass fiber-reinforced plasticopen-topped shell having a bottom wall with a pair of raised, laterallyspaced channels equi-off longitudinal center and having side walls andend walls with one end wall interrupted centrally by a door opening, apair of cabinet sections secured in said shell, each cabinet sectionhaving a skirt portion secured to a channel of the shell and having anupper marginal portion secured to the upper marginal portion of theshell, a metal frame in said shell at the end wall interrupted by saidopening, an upper body section comprising a molded plastic inner and anouter shell and a metal frame therebetween, said upper body sectioncovering and telescopically receiving said lower body section, fluidrams mounted between said frame and said framework at one end of saidcabin and between the lower body section and said framework at the otherend thereof.
 6. A lower body section for a telescoping camper cabinadapted to mount on a truck, comprising: a. a molded unitary open-toppedshell of a glass fiber-reinforced plastic, said shell having a bottomwall, side walls and end walls, and being formed to provide a pair oflaterally spaced upwardly projecting inverted channels; and b. a moldedreinforced cabinet section mounted inside said shell along each sidethereof defining a center aisle space and covering the inner surface ofthe shell to provide an interior finish therefor, each said cabinetsection having:
 7. A telescoping camper cabin for trucks, comprising: a.a one-piece lower body section of molded reinforced plastic interruptedat one end; b. a metal frame incorporated in said lower body section atthe end having the interruption; c. a unitary upper body sectiontelescopically receiving said lower body section, said upper bodysection being interrupted at one end so as to, in cooperation with theinterruption in said lower body section, for a door opening, andincluding a one-piece outer shell of molded reinforced plastic and aone-piece inner shell of molded reinforced plastic secured inside saidouter shell with a metal framework incorporated therebetween; d. fluidram means connected between said upper and lower body sections forraising and lowering said upper body section relative to said lower bodysection, said fluid ram means including four rams connected at theirupper ends to said metal framework with two of said rams connected attheir lower ends to said metal frame in the lower body section; and e. amolded reinforced plastic cabinet section secured inside said lower bodysection along each side thereof defining a center aisle space andcovering the inner surface of said lower body section and serving as afinish therefor.